VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP: Which Should You Use?
For years, VLOOKUP was the undisputed champion of Excel lookup functions. Then Microsoft introduced XLOOKUP in 2019, and everything changed. But which one should you actually use? Let's break it down.
Understanding VLOOKUP
VLOOKUP has been an Excel staple for decades. Its syntax is:
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
VLOOKUP Example
Suppose you have a product table and want to find a price by product ID:
=VLOOKUP(A2, Products!A:C, 3, FALSE)
This looks up the value in A2, searches in the Products table (columns A through C), and returns the value from the 3rd column.
VLOOKUP Limitations
- Only looks right: The lookup column must be the leftmost column
- Column index is fragile: Insert a column and your formula breaks
- Approximate match by default: Forgetting FALSE can cause errors
- No backward lookup: Can't search right and return values from the left
Enter XLOOKUP
XLOOKUP was designed to address every VLOOKUP shortcoming. Its syntax is:
=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])
XLOOKUP Example
The same lookup becomes:
=XLOOKUP(A2, Products!A:A, Products!C:C, "Not Found")
XLOOKUP Advantages
1. Lookup in Any Direction
XLOOKUP can look left, right, up, or down. The lookup array and return array are independent.
2. Exact Match by Default
No more forgetting the FALSE argument. XLOOKUP defaults to exact match.
3. Built-in Error Handling
The optional if_not_found parameter lets you specify what to return when no match is found:
=XLOOKUP(A2, Products!A:A, Products!C:C, "Product not found")
4. Return Multiple Columns
XLOOKUP can return entire rows of data:
=XLOOKUP(A2, Products!A:A, Products!B:D)
This returns columns B, C, and D in one formula.
5. Search Modes
XLOOKUP offers four search modes:
- 1: First to last (default)
- -1: Last to first
- 2: Binary search ascending
- -2: Binary search descending
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | VLOOKUP | XLOOKUP |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Right only | Any direction |
| Default match | Approximate | Exact |
| Error handling | Requires IFERROR | Built-in |
| Multiple columns | No | Yes |
| Performance | Good | Excellent |
| Availability | All versions | Excel 2021+ / 365 |
When to Use VLOOKUP
Despite its limitations, VLOOKUP still has its place:
- Compatibility: Sharing files with users on older Excel versions
- Simple lookups: Quick, straightforward lookups where direction doesn't matter
- Legacy formulas: Maintaining existing workbooks
When to Use XLOOKUP
Use XLOOKUP whenever possible:
- New workbooks: Start fresh with XLOOKUP
- Complex lookups: Any lookup requiring flexibility
- Backward lookups: When the return column is left of the lookup column
- Error handling: When you need clean error messages
Migration Examples
Basic Lookup
VLOOKUP:
=VLOOKUP(A2, B:D, 3, FALSE)
XLOOKUP:
=XLOOKUP(A2, B:B, D:D)
With Error Handling
VLOOKUP:
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2, B:D, 3, FALSE), "Not found")
XLOOKUP:
=XLOOKUP(A2, B:B, D:D, "Not found")
Backward Lookup (XLOOKUP only)
=XLOOKUP(A2, D:D, B:B)
The Verdict
If you're using Excel 365 or Excel 2021, make XLOOKUP your default choice. It's more intuitive, more powerful, and produces cleaner formulas.
Keep VLOOKUP in your toolkit for compatibility scenarios, but embrace XLOOKUP for everything new. Your formulas will be shorter, more readable, and more maintainable.